Awake: Tours & Doors

[H2O Man]

“Awake!
Shake dreams from your hair
My pretty child, my sweet one
Choose the day and the sign of your day
The day’s divinity
First thing you see.”
-- Jim Morrison; Awake

Not surprisingly, people are projecting their own being, when talking about Hillary Clinton’s current “listening tour.” Those who support her, see the tour as positive; those who oppose her, view it negatively. And, of course, the undecided aren’t saying a lot; they are just taking it all in.

I’m not particularly familiar with the details of the tour, and so anything that I might say isn’t factual. Nor is it speculation. That combination tends to narrow down the options for discussing the tour, doesn’t it? But I still have something that I want to say.

No one doubts that Ms. Clinton is highly intelligent, and has an organized mind. Or that she recently became a grandmother. Or that she really wants to become the President of the United States.

I will speculate that the planning of this tour involved input from both her campaign staff, and Hillary Clinton herself. I think that I’m on safe ground, so far, and that no one of consequence would dispute what I’ve said thus far. So, what the heck: I might as well give my opinion now!

In my opinion, the content of the tour, and what Ms. Clinton has identified as her goal, is very different that what he staff has in mind. At least for the goals. I do not think Ms. Clinton is doing this, simply to be able to roll out some new ideas, and saying she got them from this tour. On the other hand, I don’t think it has the wild populist energy that Senator Robert Kennedy had in his all-too-brief 82-day campaign in 1968. It’s not that bad, nor is it that good.

However, I think it has a very real potential, one that I absolutely hope for. I’ll start by saying that much of the negative that I associate with the Clinton campaign isn’t the candidate, but rather, some of those around her. I felt that way in 2008. I don’t believe that her campaign was run well. That she came so close was in spite of, instead of because of, her campaign.

Even here on DU, an internet sight for political discussions, that was originally intended to appeal to progressive-liberal Democrats, I find that. Maybe somewhere around a quarter of the pro-Hillary folks here include quite a few of the people that I don’t talk to, and who don’t talk to me. I know that they are good Democrats, intelligent people, and committed to this election. Yet, just as with some of the people around her now, I think their behaviors will do much more damage than good for the Clinton campaign.

I’m not suggesting that Hillary Clinton “can’t win without the left.” I’m sure that she can. But I do not think that process would result in good for the United States.

I would rather think that Ms. Clinton will be listening with an open mind, as she tours and speaks to “common folk.” I believe that the combination of being a grandmother, running for President, and listening to the harsh, cold reality that defines so many people’s lives, can open new doors of perception.

Hillary Clinton has said that she wants to be the people’s champion A lot of us older folks here remember in the early 1970s, when the great Muhammad Ali was known as he People’s Champion. (Elvis even gave Ali a beautiful robe, with “The People’s Champion” on the back.)

The temptation to continue talking about boxing here is too great. I can’t help myself. But it’ll help me communicate an idea:

When a fighter like Ali went in the ring to win a championship, it was a different man who left that ring. The fight changed them. Likewise, the responsibilities of being champion changed Ali, too. Now, I’ve said all that, to simply say this: I believe that it possible that this tour will help to transform Hillary Clinton into being the best leader that she can be. For if she is elected, we all want that.

Peace,
H2O Man

[H2O Man]

1. I hope, for example,

that she encounters a family that has had its water destroyed by hydro-fracking. Her being a fracking advocate presents a huge problem for me.

[H2O Man]

2. I agree with

you, Mr. H2O Man.

[G_j]

3. bravo

You have, as always, stepped back, observed, and found reason and a light. Honestly, you are the very best at seeing and grasping "teachable moments". You should write a book, if you haven't already. Your contributions here are a saving grace.
Anyone who doesn't talk with you has lost out.

[H2O Man]

4. Well, thank you.

I appreciate that. I do try to put some thought into most of the things I talk about here on DU:GD. And I do so, in hopes that maybe I will encourage someone to look at something familiar, but in a different way.

I've heard from a couple of old friends that one "group" of people here are purposely avoiding commenting on anything I post on DU:GD. I think that's fine, but what I find rather silly is that they instruct others to avoid my OPs, too! Gracious.

Odd, that. I always encourage people to think for themselves, and to behave as their conscience dictates.

[G_j]

6. that is just nonsensical

Your ability to write with a calm demeanor about the issues that bring up so much acrimony here, is nothing but a plus. When everyone is arguing, you offer an insight. I can't help but to feel suspicious of anyone who would find any problem with your contributions, even if they didn't agree with you. Whatever.. I'm so glad you keep posting amidst the chaos.

[H2O Man]

10. Right.

I do remember years ago, after a heated staff meeting at the mental health clinic, a co-worker asked me if I noticed that no one seemed interested in arguing with me? But on DU, I don't really "argue." I try to engage in conversations, and respect that good people can and do have very different opinions than me.

[scarletwoman]

5. I have no idea if Hillary's "listening tour" consists of actual listening, or if it's just

a campaign tactic coreographed to make her look like she's "listening". In other words, big on show, light on substance.

Yes, it would be lovely indeed if what she listens to ends up transforming her into a more enlightened human being. I have my doubts - it would be dishonest for me to say otherwise.

Ultimately, it probably doesn't matter. If she's the Dem nominee in the General Election, I will vote for her, simply because it's unthinkable to allow a Republican to win the presidency.

I often think of the old song by Mimi and Richard Farina, "Children of Darkness". We are all caught in the darkness of a world run by elites who have no conscience and no humanity - Hillary no less than the rest of us.

Edited to add the lyrics:

Now is the time for your loving, dear
And the time for your company
Now when the light of reason fails
And fires burn on the sea
Now in this age of confusion
I have need for your company

For I am a wild and a lonely child
And the son of an angry man
And now with the high wars raging
I would offer you my hand
For we are the children of darkness
And the prey of a foul command

It's once I was free to go roaming in
The wind of the springtime mind
And once the clouds I sailed upon
Were sweet as lilac wine
Then why have the breezes of summer, dear
Enlaced with a grim design?

And where was the will of my father
When he raised his sword on high?
And where was my mother's wailing
When our flags were justified?
And where will we take our pleasures
When our bodies have been denied?

So now is the time for your loving, dear
And the time for your company
Now when the light of reason fails
And fires burn on the sea
Now in this age of confusion
I have need for your company

[G_j]

7. I share your pessimism

and basically am left only to try and visualize some real listening on her part. I think her meeting with Warren may have been more signifigant. I'm not beyond a little prayer, since we can only watch.

[scarletwoman]

8. That's the thing.

They act, and we can only watch.

We are no different than the Nigerians, the Syrians, the Yemenis, the Iraqis, the Lybians, and all the other common people of the world who find themselves at the mercy of forces beyond their control.

How can this be? There are more of US, than there are of Them, yet our fates are dictated by the whims of the few and the powerful.

[H2O Man]

9. "Five to one,

one in five;
no one here
gets out alive...."

Okay, I was listening to The Doors today. But, you are right: there's a lot more of us, than them. Yet they rule.

And you are doubly right about it being much the same here, as in other lands.

[scarletwoman]

12. I used to ask, long ago, if it was any better to be on the side of sword hand, than on the side of

the blade. Yes, there are certain privileges that accrue - no other country will be flying drones over us, dropping bombs - but there's a deadening of the soul that accrues also.

No one here gets out alive...

[scarletwoman]

14. "They got the guns But we got the numbers..."

The old get old
And the young get stronger
May take a week
And it may take longer
They got the guns
But we got the numbers
Gonna win, yeah
We're takin' over
Come on!

Doesn't seem to be happening yet...

[H2O Man]

18. The Occupy movement

had great potential. I think it will rise again. By itself, it will not "take over." But in coordination with other disciplines, it holds promise.

[G_j]

13. I know

like watching a trainwreck, only it's the whole planet.

[G_j]

15. Probably my one revolutionary act at this point,

is trying to be at least kind to people, as there is too much meanness in the world. I sense we are both even more pessimistic than we were during the days of W. I know I am. I've simplified somewhat. I play music that makes people happy, and that's better than so many other things. I'm involved somewhat in my state's (NC) politics and the Moral Monday movement, which could be a beacon for change if people choose to consider it. http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022987963

[scarletwoman]

16. To treat other beings with loving kindness is the most important thing a human can do.

That's the task of the Bodhisattva.

[Warren DeMontague]

11. Jim Morrison was contrast and conflict, invoking the crazed spirits of ancient deities and demons

for a brief alchemical summoning which could result in transformative dionsyan ecstasy, or just as easily, sloppy drunken mess.

Morrison was anything but 'careful'. He didn't mince his words, nor was he ever worried about pissing people off.

Like her, don't like her, it's pretty clear to this observer that one thing Hillary's not, it's a Jim Morrison candidate.

As you say about 'wild populist energy', this isn't likely to be a Jim Morrison election.


Robert Hunter, maybe.


I see you got your list out
say your peace, and get out
yes I get the gist of it, but,
it's all right
sorry that you feel that way
the only thing there is to say
every silver lining's got a
touch of grey

[H2O Man]

17. True. Good points, but

I remember that Marcia Clark -- a rather rigid, law-and-order personality -- kept a Jim Morrison poster in her office. As a prosecutor, her performances were distinct from, say, Jim in Miami. Yet, while making tense decisions, she believed she benefited from gazing at that poster.

[Warren DeMontague]

19. That's just weird, man.

You know I was the only person in the continental United States who paid zero attention to that whole circus show. It was surreal, like I was surrounded by people all of a sudden who were speaking a different language- talking about references I had no clue about, and well-known characters and lines in some play I was supposed to know verbatim but hadn't seen.

I had some mild awareness of who Kato Kaelin was, that's about it.

But I digress. Either way, I don't have Hillary figured as a Doors fan. Her Husband, maybe, although something tells me he's more Led Zeppelin.